A woman who intentionally went missing at LAX airport reportedly crossed into Mexico on foot weeks before her father killed himself.
Police in Los Angeles say Hannah Kobayashi, 30, intentionally missed her connecting flight to New York after flying to Los Angeles from Maui on Nov. 8.
Investigators reviewed hours of surveillance video at LAX and around Los Angeles. They spotted Hannah leaving the airport after checking her bag on the flight bound for New York.
She reportedly contacted LAX to have her bag sent back to LAX from New York. She picked up her luggage from LAX the next day (Nov. 9).
The professional photographer was also seen in surveillance footage at the popular shopping mall The Grove in Los Angeles on Nov. 8 and 9.
Hannah was spotted getting on the LAX Metro C line at Aviation/Century Station, a short ride from the airport. She was reported missing to law enforcement the same day.
Hannah was last seen on surveillance video crossing the border into Mexico on foot on Nov. 12. She was alone and did not seem to be under duress.
The confirmed sightings conflict with statements made by her family who say she did not intentionally miss her connecting flight to NY. They say Hannah was under the control of someone else and they refuse to believe the person seen in surveillance videos is Hannah.
The family is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Hannah’s location.
Hannah’s father took his own life after arriving in L.A. to search for his daughter.
Ryan Kobayashi jumped off a parking garage near LAX airport on Nov. 24. The building is one of the last places Hannah was seen. His family said he “died of a broken heart” over Hannah’s disappearance.
On Nov. 26, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said “the investigation determined” that Hannah intentionally missed her connecting flight to New York. McDonnell made the statement at an LAPD Board of Commissioners meeting.
Los Angeles, California | LAPD – MISSING PERSON UPDATE –
? Hannah Kobayashi Walked into Mexico on FOOT – AND ALONE – She contacted LAX and had her luggage sent back to LA where she returned next day to retrieve it – It's possible she's having a pshycotic episode – Or looking… https://t.co/lz4OgiPHBp pic.twitter.com/WP0WjSkm9j— M?anL¡LM??? (@MeanLILMeoW) December 3, 2024
The LAPD is attempting to locate a man and a woman that Hannah paid on Venmo shortly after she missed her connecting flight to New York at LAX.
Chief McDonnell said “no foul play” is suspected in Hannah’s disappearance. An LAPD source said Hannah is “an adult and she can choose to be missing” if she wants to.
